Top trips in China

Best times to go to China

Spring through to the late autumn is the ideal time to visit this vast country

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Exodus offer a wide range of adventure, activity and walking holidays to China. From epic mountains and desert moonscapes to the modern chic of Shanghai; from ancient civilisations to the People’s Republic. China is vast, it’s incredible - it really is a different world. To do China justice you ne... Read more

ed to take your time on your adventure holiday. Overland tours give the maximum opportunity to make your trip a real once-in-a-lifetime experience. Iconic sights are aplenty: float down the Yangtze, follow the Silk Road and stop off at the Great Wall before you arrive at the Forbidden City. China has so many cultural sights and natural wonders that you will be spoilt for choice. Worried that you haven’t got time for it all? What you don’t see will still be there for your next adventure holiday.

Adventure Holiday to China: The Highlights

The Silk Road is one of the world’s oldest and historically important trade routes and had a huge influence on the civilisations of the West. A series of trade routes connecting China to the Mediterranean via the Central Asian steppes, the Silk Road covers some of the most inhospitable terrain on the planet.

The vast plains and great deserts create an unmissable wilderness landscape, home to nomadic tribes and marauding warriors. The Silk Road is also home to the forgotten cities that were once the centre of civilisation – Samarkand and Bokhara in Uzbekistan, and Kashgar, regal posts on this incredible journey to Beijing.

China’s most famous landmark, the Great Wall, winds like a dragon across the landscape. Stretching over 6,000km it maps out most things Chinese, taking in Imperial tombs, quiet rural villages and mountainous highlands before reaching Beijing itself.

The best bits are away from the tourist hordes that descend on the wall by the coach load. Our advice – take a cycling or trekking holiday to the more remote areas. Your effort will be rewarded with peace and tranquillity, and an opportunity to get a real sense of the scale and majesty of this remarkable construction.

In 1974, a group of peasants unearthed one of the biggest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Imagine their surprise when instead of finding an underground lake they uncovered over 8,000 life-sized terracotta warriors. Beautifully crafted with astonishing attention to detail, the soldiers had been lying there for over 2,000 years guarding the tomb of the first Chinese Emperor in the ancient city of Xi’an.

What activity levels mean

Mixed

You may be a total beginner or an experienced cross-country skier. Many destinations offer different level weeks or multi-grade skiing on the same week. Choose from ‘Classic’ and ‘Skate’ style holidays, or even a ski marathon race for the ultimate winter challenge. See below for more grading details.

Leisurely

You are healthy, enjoy the outdoors and want a relaxing trip. No experience is required.

Moderate

You are reasonably fit, enjoy the outdoors and are looking for some exercise. Some previous experience is preferable for activity based trips.

Challenging

You are moderately fit and possess a spirit of adventure. Some previous experience is required for most activity based trips.

Tough

You are moderately fit and have an interest in remote or challenging environments. Some previous experience is required for activity based trips.

Tough+

You have a good level of fitness and are looking for a physically challenging holiday. Previous experience is essential for activity based trips.

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Written by

Georgina Lawrence

Gina started off with four trips as a punter before ever stepping foot over the threshold ...

Exodus activities in China

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Responsible travel

We realise that every holiday destination is also
someone else's home and that we should leave places as we found them. Find out
more about how we incorporate
responsible travel into our adventure and activity holidays, and how you
can help by donating to one of our
responsible travel projects